Spa fancy: Coco's Day Spa & Salon

By miaeditor

Created 11/11/2008 - 18:20

If even thinking about braving Sawgrass Mills makes you tense up, then you'll need a visit to this place.

By Kathryn Wexler

The lowdown: If you come to The Colonnade, it's probably not for a facial but for some sharply discounted Cole Haan shoes. But as you meander around the shops -- Valentino, Burberry, Neiman's Last Call -- you'll pass by Coco's Day Spa & Salon. And, at first blush, you will probably assume that the place is more salon than spa. You will be right. There are 16 hair stations, and room for eight concurrent manicures and four pedicures. But on the opposite side of the wall is a hushed, long, orange-tinted hallway leading to five treatment rooms where you can get a hot stone massage, body polish or teen facial. Sound-muffling materials were used to construct the spa side of the business, so the hair dryers shouldn't disturb you while you're winding down from retail therapy.

The 'hood: Sawgrass Mills is a sprawling, dizzying retail complex. A road circles the stores, but it's easy to get confused as the stores are often too far away to discern their names. Coco's is between Rainforest Cafe and St. John Knits.

The vibe: Sequestered and calm -- once you leave the salon side. There's no lounge, but a couch beingshipped from Italy will be placed at the end of the hallway.

The highlights: Dermalogica products are used for all facials, and there's a range of massage modalities. A Reflexology Pedicure sounds divine ($65 and up). The Oxygen Therapy Facial is said to improve fine lines and dryness ($100 for 50 minutes). And Bitton swears by the Hot Rock Massage ($100 for 50 minutes). In a Bamboo Massage, bamboo sticks are rolled over the body, and a hand massage is also incorporated ($115 for 50 minutes).The sweet deal: Mention this story when you buy a 50-minute massage (starts at $70) or 50-minute facial (starts at $75), and get a free spa manicure ($18 value). Or, buy both a massage and facial (starts at $145) and choose between a free manicure and pedicure ($48 value) or a free blow-out (starts at $35).